GBK Celebrity Gifting Suite Oscars!

March 2, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

Who watched the Oscar’s this weekend? We love seeing so many talented individuals in one place! Before the ceremonies started, we had the chance to attend the GBK Pre-Oscars Gifting Suite! We met a ton of new and interesting people there, and had the chance to reconnect with some of our old friends! This time, the event was held in a gorgeous Beverly Hills home!

While we were there, we got to check in with our friend Viola Davis. After the event, she went on to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in “Fences”! By winning this Oscar, she has become the 23rd member of the “Acting Triple Crown” club, by winning an Emmy, Tony, and an Oscar over the course of her career.

Every time we have the opportunity to attend one of these events, we’re reminded of why we do what we do! Sharing all the hat styles we’re so passionate about with people that have equal drive and creativity is an ultimately fulfilling experience. Here are some more of the hot celebrities we got to meet with!

Abigail Pniowsky from Arrival in a Cyclone.

Angell Conwell from Baby Boy in a Summit.

Aldis Hodge from Hidden Figures in a Trilby.

Asia Monet Ray from Dance Moms loved the Wisdom!

Brett Dier from Jane the Virgin and Haley Lu Richardson from the Edge of Seventeen in a Draco and a Cyclone.

Caroline Waterlow from O.J: Made in America in a Summit.

Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa from Kubo and the Two Strings in a Trilby.

Youtube Star Christian Collins in a Trilby.

The Collins brothers finding the right hat for them!

Kurt Krause from Hidden Figures in the Wisdom!

Cullen Moss from Dear John in a Soho.

David Mackenzie from Hell or High Water in an El Dorado.

Doris Morgado from Hall Pass in a Trilby

Doc Rivers, coach of the LA Clippers in a Soho.

Dylan Tarason from The Place Beyond the Pines in a Soho.

Elizabeth Daily from Rugrats in a Cyclone.

Yauni rocking a Summit!

Ezra Edelman, director of O.J: Made in America was stuck between styles!

Haley Lu Richardson from Edge of Seventeen in a Crusher.

Howard Barish from 13th in a Crusher.

Juanjo Gimenez director of Timecode in a Soho.

Vine Star Jessica Vanessa in a Summit

Producer Julie Goldman in a Trilby.

Karina Smirnoff from Dancing with the Stars in a Draco.

Kim Magnusson from Helium in a Cyclone.

Laura Slade Wiggins from Rings in a Draco.

Leslie, from American Hat Makers: The Motion Picture.

Leslie and Yauni trying to contain their excitement.

Leslie and Brett Dier.

Linda Park from Jurassic Park III in a Summit.

Lotte Verbeek from The Fault in Our Stars in a Summit.

Mark O’Brien from Arrival in a Summit.

Marci Miller from American Fable in a Summit.

Marsai Martin from Black-ish in the Feedback.

Social Media Star Miss Julia Kelly in a Trilby.

Miles Brown from Black-ish in a Trilby.

Menik Gooneratne from Lion in a Summit.

Steven Bauer from Scarface in a Summit.

Jazmyn Simon from Ballers in a Trilby.

Eric Heisserer from Arrival in a Crusher.

Tommy Chong from Cheech and Chong in a Trilby.

Thomas Barbusca from Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life in a Trilby.

Tehmina Sunny from Argo in a Summit.

Shannon Lanier, host of Arise TV 360 in a Wisdom.

Stephen Kramer Glickman from Big Time Rush in a Cyclone.

Tara Pease in a Draco.

Sam Trammell from True Blood can’t decide what to try on!

Ruth Connell from Supernatural in a Trilby.

Russell Hornsby from Fences in a Summit.

Roger Ross Williams from Life, Animated in a Summit.

Richard Kind from Spin City in a Summit.

Priyanka Bose from Lion in an El Dorado.

Kristof Deak from Sing in a Soho.

All in all, we had a fantastic time at the Pre-Oscars Gifting Suite! Stay tuned for more events like this one, and check out our social media for all the latest as to what’s going on at American Hat Makers.

WESA was amazing!

February 24, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

This year’s WESA show was the best yet! For those that don’t know, the Western-English Sales Association is a trade show dealing with thousands of represented product lines and retailers . The WESA founders launched an initial trade show in Denver in January 1922, with the goal of creating a forum where retailers, manufacturers, and sales representatives could conduct business in an atmosphere of fair trade and fellowship. The resulting Denver International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Markets are the world’s largest trade events for the Equestrian Industry, attracting a constantly growing global audience to Denver’s world-class Markets.

We’ve been attending WESA’s awesome events since the 1980’s. This year, however, was something for the record books! Shortly before the show started, we caught word that the truck we had packed to the brim with all of our show supplies had been totaled in an accident and wouldn’t be making it’s delivery. This meant we would be left without a booth, and without any hats to show! At the last minute, we packed up all the hats we could, and hand carried fourteen boxes onto a plane bound for Denver.

When we arrived at the WESA show and let the staff know what a dire situation we were in, they immediately took us under their wing and turned the whole thing around. They provided us with all the parts necessary to build a booth, and even pointed us in the direction of a retailer that provided us with the exact shelving units we needed to display our hats! After an amazing show of meeting with new customers and reconnecting with old ones, we even won an award for Best Booth! We at American Hat Makers would like to extend a huge thank you to all the astonishing men and women at WESA for turning what could have been a disaster into a positive experience! Without your help, we would not have been able to have the rewarding and fulfilling experience we walked away from this year. We’re all looking forward to next year!

Starting 2017 the Right Way with New Hat Styles!

February 24, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

Voodoo Hatter has never had trouble delivering an edge to the top hat world and this time around they have really pulled all stops.
These new Voodoo hats bring this style to life in reimagined ways to accessorize the way you ride, rock, and rebel!

Not everyone is brave enough hunt rattlers and not everyone is brave enough to wear the RATTLESNAKE. Leave no doubt to your level of fearlessness and daring with this striking topper. The Pale Rider is handmade of the darkest black leather and made startlingly remarkable with its rattlesnake band. Don’t be surprised if the less courageous step back in fear, for this hat is not for the faint of heart.

A new design by renowned tattoo artist Adam Rose of Fallen Owl Tattoo Studio, Feedback is for everyone from the dedicated rock and roller to the Delta bluesman. Impeccably designed, this show-stopper topper is carefully laser engraved with instrumental detailing on the 4 ½ inch tall crown. Standing in the spotlight is a real guitar pick placed center stage on the band. Get ready for your solo in this hat!

A new design from the highly talented designer Dominique de Leon, suspended begs you to hang on for the ride of your life. Like all of our Voodoo Hatter offerings, there is an air of mystery and mayhem surrounding Suspended. What will happen if you hold on too tightly?Where will you land if you just let go? I guess that’s a chance you have to take, unless you want to stay Suspended forever in between tension and release, anticipation and knowing.

From the depths of darkness and the mists of the afterlife comes Silver Skull with the 2 Skull band designed by acclaimed tattoo artist Adam Rose. Meticulously imagined and artfully laser engraved, this hat bridges the legendary gap between life and death. The silver skulls on the 2 Skull band offer an added spark to the already heated debate – to live or to die.

The Pinster is a new addition to our Voodoo Hatter line. It fits right in with its fierce sense ofplayfulness inherent in the hand cut combination of deep black leather and mesh. Don’t beafraid to kick back and cool your heels in this vented tallboy with a 5 ½ inch crown.

Bring out the Evil Within with this artfully airbrushed, laser-engraved beauty. Its sharp polished claws are strikingly magnificent as they rip through the black finished leather. Durable and eye-catching in style, this hat will help you claw your way through a lifetime of adventure.

Be awed across the void in this new design by Fallen Owl Tattoo Studio owner and artist Adam Rose. This distinctive hat features an intricate laser engraved dragon on the 4 ½ inch crown highlighted by a claw band. When you want to intrigue them from a distance, throw the Claw on and see who is brave enough to get close.

Ashbury hats reinvents past styles with a fresh batch of neutral colors and fierce eye candy as well as adding new unique and standout looks!

Classy and Sassy is what you will be feeling when you wear this hat, which features a felt crown similar to the crown of the Chaplin and a floppy black leather brim. The hatband is designed with black metallic leather adorned with a black crystal buckle. You can wear any outfit and it’s sure to match The Sassy.

Once known as the “rich man’s favored hat” the Trilby is a low profile classic that brings an air of sophistication to any wardrobe or setting. Now offered in four colors – from timeless Black to eye-catching Blood-Orange, the Trilby will take your look to another level. Choose the subtle brown of Saddle or the comforting, familiar shade of Pewter to project an air of Cary Grant unruffled cool. With a 4 ¼ inch crown and a leather 1 ½” brim this hat brings an element of style beyond the sum of its parts.

The Travis hat is the sporty sibling of our fashionable Sassy hat. A key element of our Ashbury line, the Travis is handmade with a leather bill and hat band and a crown of Litefelt which makes it water repellant as well as notorious for keeping its shape. Throw the Travis into your carry-on and when you reach your destination it will regain its original shape and keep you looking first-class all the way!

Take your liberty in this revolutionary design of a civil war era cap. Crafted by hand, this stylish lid brings a leather brim and hat band together with a crown of LiteFelt. This union creates an everyday and special event option for your head-topping needs.

No matter your destination, this hat – just like its namesake – can be counted on to make sure your outfit is on time and on point. Whether you are looking to dress up a casual, everyday ensemble or want to bring your suit up to first class, the Conductor will get you there. With lush felt and stylish leather finishing, this hat makes sure you travel in style.

American Outback Hats showing consistent strength in creating the perfect hats for durability, comfort, and the free spirited style of any adventurer!

Channel your inner artist and live the unconventional life in the new Boheme, designed by artist and jewelry designer Ruby Roxanne Agresta. The tan Boheme features an exquisite laser engraved and airbrushed feather band that is removable and can be used as a head-turning choker, while the brown Boheme features a brass linked hat band with a small star. Both versions are made of rough cut premium leather. This hat an eye-catcher!

One of our favorite new designs, the Michelle is up for anything! From strolling the farmer’s market to dancing in the front row of the music festival, this hat is at home. With a full 2-3/4” brim and a tall, well-constructed 3-3/4” crown, this hat can be styled any way you like. The thin leather hatband is carefully wrapped around the base of the crown and lends a bohemian artistic quality to this hat. Whether you choose black suede, mocha suede, or the luxurious gunsmoke suede, this hat will add that certain something to every outfit and occasion you encounter on your adventures.

Double G takes a step back from the sleek, refined cowboy look to deliver some new textures and a new style to keep you looking sharp and feeling good!

A new addition to our tried and true Double G Hats line comes the stealthily stylish Wing Tip.More than a workhorse, this star of the rodeo boasts a decorative handcrafted detailing on the crown and a hat band. True to its roots, this hat features a sewn-in wire brim for personalized shaping and a perfect fit. Roping, casting, or just strolling, this hat is a show-stopper.

Take them by storm in this hat! Bringing a handcrafted pinch on the crown that gives you that carefree Western appeal, the Cyclone is available in five distinctive colors that will please any personality and match your mood no matter which way the wind blows.

Keep your eye out for more new designs and styles, we have some very exciting hats in the works!

Business Highlight: Chapel Hats

February 22, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

Chapel Hats is a nationwide chain of high-end hat stores that is dedicated to providing a fun environment in which the consumer can find a hat that’s perfect for them. Every Chapel Hats store has a story to tell. An interesting fact about Chapel Hats is that they partner with architectural salvage companies to reclaim wood and iron to build the shelves, tables and cash counters used in their stores. Each store is built on history with the use of old pieces, and salvage from old shops, factories, schools, pubs, churches, etc. When you step foot in any of their shops you will be taken to a different time period!

Chapel’s Chinook location.

We first got involved with Chapel Hats 6 years ago at a Las Vegas trade show. John Mckernan, owner and founder of Chapel Hats, came into our booth and remarked at how much he loved our Steampunk Hatter line. We instantly hit it off! John is honest, open, and willing to try new things, which is one of the core values we employ here at American Hat Makers. John is a knowledgeable buyer who is dedicated to the organic growth of his company and isn’t in a rush when it comes to the way he runs his business. The values he employs in his company insures that he does not get too big too fast and lose touch with his clientele.

John is well known among hat enthusiasts for the impact his chain of shops has had on the hat world. By making high end, high quality hats more widely available to the public, a resurgence of hat styles has been started. Each location has a wide variety of styles in order to cater to a larger demographic. Chapel hats has a reputation for stocking new and cutting edge styles that keep them ahead of the curve when it comes to fashion.

Working with such dedicated people, such as those at Chapel Hats, is always so rewarding. Our shared interest in hats and hat-making has really made Chapel Hats a part of the American Hat Makers family. Sharing such similar company values and culture has made Chapel Hats a pleasure to partner with! If you’re ever around one of their amazing locations go check them out! The vintage appeal of their stores is only surpassed by the many fashionable hat styles they carry!

The amazingly talented Lindsey Stirling!

February 20, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, and composer.

She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her YouTube channel, which she created in 2007. Stirling performs a variety of music styles, from classical to pop and rock to electronic dance music. Aside from original work, her discography contains covers of songs by other musicians and various soundtracks. Her music video, “Crystallize” finished as the eighth-most watched video of 2012, and her cover version of “Radioactive” with Pentatonix won Response of the Year in the first Youtube Music Awards in 2013. Stirling achieved one million singles sold worldwide by August 2014. As of July 2016, her Lindseystomp YouTube channel exceeded 8 million subscribers and over a billion total views. Stirling has been named in Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 In Music: The Class Of 2015. Forbes notes her quarter-finalist position on America’s Got Talent in 2010, a No. 2 position on the Billboard 200 for her second album Shatter Me in 2014, and her 8 million subscribers on YouTube. Stirling’s debut album was a commercial success in Europe, selling 200,000 copies in Germany, winning a platinum certification; three additional certifications were given by Austria, Switzerland and Poland. The debut album was nominated for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards for Top Dance/ Electronic album. Stirling’s second album Shatter Me won the 2015 Billboard Music Awards for Top Dance/Electronic Album. Check out this awesome video, Roundtable Rival, to see just how talented Lindsey is!

Her dancers are always so coordinated and alluring! It’s always such a pleasure watching one of Lindsey’s videos. She’s so obviously passionate about what she does, seeing someone create something so beautiful and genuine is so inspiring!

Lindsey and the Roundtable Rival dancers. The top hat on the left is a Trinket!

Stirling describes her childhood as being raised in a modest household and stated “I would not trade my humble childhood years for anything else. Due to her family’s financial limitations, her parents could only afford to find a violin teacher who would give her half lessons. Told by instructors that “a child isn’t going to learn how to play in 15 minutes a week”, her parents persisted, and at the age of five she began taking violin lessons. You can see where this led!

Lindsey with the Master of Tides dancers. The hats pictured here are the Pipefitter, Kraken, and Trinket!

Nowadays, Lindsey is recording amazing music and stunning crowds with performance pieces like “Master of Tides”. Lindsey partnered with UE Boom to create a live, spontaneous performance piece in a crowded plaza and filmed it with hidden cameras! Check out this one-of-a-kind performance!

Whenever we get the chance to partner with such a unique, creative-minded individual such as Lindsey, we’re reminded of why we do what we do! At American Hat Makers, we strive to create masterful pieces of art, so that artists like Lindsey can achieve their vision and continue to fill the world with captivating and genuine art!

Grammy Award Celebrity Sighting!

February 13, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

This Saturday February 11, 2017 we attended another Pre-Grammy Gifting Suite! This time it was located at the McLaren Auto Gallery in Beverlly Hills. Here are all of the hot celebrities that just fell in love with our hats.

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Casper Smart (Actor) wearing a Summit in Black

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Ally Brooke from Fifth Harmony (Singer) wearing a Black Summit

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Kandi Burruss from Real Housewives Atlanta wearing a Kraken

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Kaya Jones from the Pussycat Dolls wearing a Havisham

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Masiela Lusha from George Lopez wearing a Wisdom

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Stephen Kramer Glickman from Big Time Rush wearing a El Dorado Buffalo Band

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Mark Thomas (Tv Personality) wearing a Soho

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Steven Lee Olsen & Girlfriend. He is wearing a Summit in Navy and she is wearing a Havisham

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Pandora Vanderpump wearing a Summit

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Tat Tong wearing a Summit

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Laura Spencer from Big Bang Theory wearing a Summit

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Jenna Willis (Actress) wearing a Summit in Navy

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Edwin Hodge from SIX wearing a Trilby in Pewter

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Brian Justin Crum from America’s Got Talent wearing a Summit in Black

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Jake Miller (singer/songwriter) wearing a Summit in Navy

Angell Conwell (Actress) wearing Trilby in Pewter

Kissk (Rapper) wearing a El Dorado Buffalo Band

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Sofi Tukker (Musical Duo) she is wearing a Summit in Navy he is wearing a Trilby in Pewter

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Marsai Martin from Black-ish loved the Havisham

Four kids from Make a Wish Foundation that got to experience the Grammy’s!

Overall, it was a successful event! Stay tuned for the Oscar Pre-Award Gifting Suite

Ingenuity + Felt + Leather = American Hat Makers Hybrid Hats

February 1, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

As the world’s leading luxury boutique hat brand for over 40 years American Hat Makers prides itself on creating handmade American products. We are THE Premiere cut and sew facility in the world.

Our hats are unique pieces of art and we are constantly expanding the boundaries and challenging our designers to create hats that engage the fantasies of our customers as well as meet – and exceed – their practical needs. One of our most successful examples of this are our “hybrid hats.”

Garth and Hannah with Don Rongione, President of Bollman Hat Company.

American Hat Makers is the first American hat maker to create felt and leather hats in striking combinations that are both fashionable and fully functional. In order to create our hybrid hats we partnered with Don Rongione from the prestigious Pennsylvania-based Bollman Hat Company for high quality felt products.

Take a moment to learn more about our Ashbury Line which features our hybrid hats:

We call the Ashbury line our Trendsetter Collection because it features some of our most fashion-forward pieces and highlights the playful, artistic marriage of leather and felt.

The Summit

One of our newest additions to the Ashbury Brand, the Summit hat boasts a timeless, classic style.

Emily Swallow wearing a Summit just right!

Made from luxurious full grain American cowhide leathers and lite felt, this hat will take you from the after-hours jazz club to brunch on the bay in style. Choose one of our traditional colors like Black, Pewter, and Saddle, or give your look a little more pizazz and choose a crown in Blood Orange, Navy or Sage.

Summit in Saddle

Summit in Navy

Summit in Black

Summit in Blood-Orange

Summit in Pewter

Summit in Sage

Each crushable hat features a 2 ¾” leather brim and a subtle buckle on the band. Details and quality matter and this hat shows you know how to make your look fashion forward with the Summit Hat Hybrid.

The Trilby

Once known as the “rich mans favored hat” the Trilby is a low-profile classic that brings an air of sophistication to any wardrobe or setting.

Cecilia Balogot in a Pewter Trilby.

Now offered in four colors – from timeless Black to eye-catching Blood-Orange, the Trilby will take your look to another level. Choose the subtle brown of Saddle or the comforting, familiar shade of Pewter to project an air of Cary Grant unruffled cool.

Trilby in Blood-Orange

Trilby in Saddle

Trilby in Pewter

Trilby in Black

With a 4 ¼ inch crown and a leather 1 ½” brim this hat brings an element of style beyond the sum of its parts.

The Richmond

Take your liberty in this revolutionary design of a civil war era cap.

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Gilles Marini and Jimmy Jean-Louis rocking their style!

Crafted by hand, this stylish lid brings a leather brim and hat band together with a crown of LiteFelt.

Richmond in Blood-Orange

Richmond in Sage

Richmond in Pewter

Richmond in Brown

This union creates an everyday and special event option for your head-topping needs.

To order these wonderful hats, call 1-800-642-3428 as they are not yet available online. Head on over to our website to check out our many other high-quality, hand-made hats designed and manufactured in the USA.

Written for American Hat Makers by Jessica Johnson.

Steampunk Couture!

January 27, 2017American Hat Makers 2 Comments

Steampunk has elevated past a cultural fad and graduated into a way of life. It’s influence can be seen everywhere when it comes to art, television and cinema. Allowing for the uninhibited creation of beautiful masterpieces, steampunk and its’ subgenres has opened entire worlds of artistic possibility. Harnessing the energy and soul of such a powerful movement would be hard, but not impossible.

Kato wearing a limited edition Curio.

Such a daring, unlimited universe would require someone with equal daring and drive! Introducing Kate Lambert, or Kato. Pioneering the steampunk subgenre from the early 2000’s onward, Kato has become one of the biggest faces in the steampunk community. Starting off making post-apocalyptic wear and modelling it on her Myspace page, Kato’s influences drew heavily from Victorian styles mixed with elements from the Mad Max universe and Tank Girl.

Kato showing exactly how to rock a brown Topper.

In 2005 Kato launched Steampunk Couture. Steampunk Couture was founded as a private couture business producing custom-fit clothing and accessories, and was the first company to cater specifically to the steampunk genre. Focusing on high quality with a hand-made touch, this independent label remains as a one-woman team, adding a personal touch while striving to make each collection exciting and unique. Kato releases seasonal collections of limited edition designs throughout the year, as well as vintage finds and accessories.

Rin wearing a limited-edition Pistol.

Another influential name in the world of steampunk is Katrina Wilkinson, or Rin! Rin is a model and college student based in Las Vegas. Rin never had a big interest in becoming a model until she did her first photo shoot for graduation. After that, she continued doing photo shoots for other students, and from there it developed into a passion!

In 2010, Rin discovered the amazing world of steampunk. Rin’s obsession with clockwork and steam-powered machinery put her right at home in the steampunk world. In 2012, after following Kato for quite some time, Rin entered a “Cosplay Kato” contest. Rin was chosen as the winner and was flown up to Portland, Oregon where she modeled for Kato’s clothing line and website. From then on, Rin and Kato became close friends and business partners. Today, Rin’s modelling is used in and inspires many steampunk works. Her unique look and eye for style has made her one of the most recognizable and in-demand steampunk models. For the latest in amazing, high quality steampunk fashion check out Steampunk Couture and Rin’s Facebook!

The Myth of Finding the Perfect Hat

January 18, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

Just as the shopkeeper told Harry Potter, “The wand chooses the wizard…” so does the hat choose you!

It is not an unusual occurrence that someone will come into the shop and say they are “just looking” and don’t want our help. But they go on to try on hat after hat, looking for the “right one” while our sales person is standing by, hat in hand, waiting patiently.

You see, our sales people are trained hat whisperers, and they know how to listen. They can see the customer’s energy and can listen to which hat is calling to them.

Beth Watrous helping customers pick their perfect hat.

Our sales people may ask you a few questions to help narrow your options, such as:

Is this hat for everyday wear or a special occasion?

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What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Double G Hats Falcon Wine

Meanwhile, they are checking out your vibe, your style – do you seem to like attention, want to me noticed? Or perhaps you are more subtle, want to hang back a bit?

No matter what your style, from Steampunk to Outback, we have got your topper!

There is an art to picking the right hat – one that creates symmetry and brings balance to your face.

The right hat complements the features you have, accentuating the positive and creating harmony.

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Jamie Foxx and his daughter Annalise Bishop wearing the Wisdom

If you have a round face, a flat bill may make your face look rounder, so you may want to avoid that style. Tilt your hat back a bit, if it is tilted forward your face may look shorter.

Madison Hu wearing a Summit

If your face is longer, pick a hat that will shorten the appearance of your face. Perhaps a Fedora, jauntily tilted to the side?

Drake Bell wearing the Summit

If you are like me and have a square face, well then, that wide brim might be calling to you. Pick a hat with some curve to it to soften the hard angles.

Brando Eaton wearing a Cyclone

The right hat can make all the difference – it can bring you to the forefront or give you a quiet confidence.

It can also transport you to another realm completely, so tread carefully, and trust the hat!

If you would like to read more about selecting and wearing your next hat, check out these links:

From The Art of Manliness

From Men Style Fashion

From Articles of Style

From Essential Style for Men

As the world’s leading luxury boutique hat brand for over 40 years

American Hat Makers prides itself on creating handmade American products.

We are THE Premiere cut and sew facility in the world.

Written for American Hat Makers By Jessica Johnson

Face Off!

January 9, 2017American Hat Makers Leave a comment

Have you heard of SyFy’s competition series, Face Off? It’s an absolutely crazy show where special effects make-up artists participate in elaborate challenges for a grand prize and the honor of being Hollywood’s next great effects artist.

Gotta get it just right!

We at American Hat Makers love seeing what other creative minds can do, so naturally this show was right up our alley! Seeing the contestants give their all at something they are so passionate about is awe inspiring!

Stunning work!

We’ve been introduced to some really unique and talented individuals such as Cig Neutron! As the love child of 80’s campiness and 50’s sci-fi, Cig Neutron has been creating creatures from his imagination — his “Cig Neutron Universe” — since childhood. He crafts an elaborate story for all the creatures he designs in order to better realize his sculpts.

Mr. Cig Neutron looking gloriously dapper!

He is currently a special effects make-up artist and a freelance sculptor, and co-founder of his company Bizarro Au Go-Go. In 2013, he won the Son of Monsterpalooza costume contest with his Baphomet makeup. Cig and his girlfriend Rani enjoy dressing up in full creature makeup and going out to karaoke bars.

Rani rocking a Draco with her amazing makeup!

We also got to meet the amazing Rachael Wagner! Rachael Wagner is an accomplished makeup artist with a professional concentration in special effects makeup, creating and applying highly realistic prosthetics for film, television and live events. She is a graduate of Make-up Designory’s Master Program and a finalist in multiple IMATS Battle of the Brushes events. She has worked with and for many diverse clientele, including Fall Out Boy, National Geographic, Girl Scouts of America, the Metropolitan Opera, Universal Studios, Hyundai, Nerdist, Syfy, MGMT, Solar City, Sheroes Entertainment LLC , the Magic Castle and DragonCon. Rachael has returned to freelancing after almost a year of working as Global Effects Inc’s project supervisor, a prestigious costume and fabrication shop with whom she had the honor of working on many special projects, including Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Castle, the upcoming film Geostorm and a host of live events including Universal’s stage shows.

Rachael knows how to wear a Garbo just right!

Among others we had the pleasure of interacting with was RJ Haddy! Robert “RJ” Haddy’s goal when he was cast in season two of Face Off was to give his career a push so that he could quit teaching high school and work full time on his art. Mission accomplished. These days, RJ works full time creating special effects and running an e-commerce site selling airbrush equipment, including his own Shadow line of brushes. He hopes that his new confidence and refined techniques will propel him to new heights in the special FX world. He’d like to use the champion’s prize money to build up his airbrush business, and also to allow his mother to retire. His favorite movies with special effects are Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Little Shop of Horrors, Star Wars, Batman (1989), Beetlejuice and Gremlins.

RJ as the Penguin, and Merry Lee.

Seeing our hats grace the heads of such inspiring, driven, and creative individuals is exactly why we do what we do. Being around others who have the same mission to create art and impact the community pushes us to reach for higher standards when it comes to every aspect of the way we do things. Don’t forget to check into Syfy channel on January 24th for the newest season of Face Off and keep an eye out for the latest and greatest in headwear only from American Hat Makers.

American Hat Makers

We are THE #1 hat manufacturers in North America who produce quality leather hats to fit any personality.

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